How do SSL certificates work, and why are they essential for my website?
The importance of obtaining an SSL certificate for your website in 2023 is comparable to locking your business doors against criminals.SSL certificates are small data files that establish secure connections between browsers and web servers. To protect customer privacy, private information, transactions, and details, they help establish an encrypted connection between you and your customers.
In general, SSL certificates can be detected in two ways. You can look at the padlock in the top left corner of the search bar (clicking it will show you the SSL certificate in detail). You can also tell if the connection is secure by looking at the beginning of the URL. If the domain reads ‘https://’, the ‘s’ indicates your site is secure.
Now that you understand what an SSL certificate is let’s take a more in-depth look at its importance and role in your website.
Why SSL certificates are essential:
First, let’s start with the initial purpose of SSL certificates: to protect data. Your website will transfer many data between you and your customers. Whether it’s usernames and passwords, email addresses and passwords or even bank card information- every piece of data that someone types onto your site has to be transferred from the browser to the web server. Therefore, it gives hackers and cyber-criminals many opportunities to intercept and steal the data for themselves. If this happens, an SSL certificate will provide a secure tunnel much harder for people to penetrate as the data moves through the internet.
SSL certificates will help to protect data such as:
- Usernames and passwords
- Credit card transactions and bank account information
- Personal information — such as full name, address, date of birth, or telephone number
- Legal documents and contracts
- Medical records
You will likely need at least one of the above from your customers, regardless of the purpose of your website. SSL certificates are essential to customer trust, but how can one tell if a website has an active SSL certificate? Here’s how a web address (URL) can help.
Web Address (URL):
According to the previous point, websites with SSL certificates are identifiable with the protocol ‘https://’, whereas ones without an SSL certificate have the protocol ‘http://’. It is a clear sign to customers whether your website is safe. Many browsers like Google Chrome will mark your website as unsafe, which presents the obvious problem of lessening the chance that someone will want to visit your website. Even if you haven’t knowingly put something unsafe on your website, a lack of an SSL certificate is an instant red flag to browsers.
Authentication:
There is an increase in the ease of impersonating people or companies online as the internet grows and develops daily. It happens incredibly often – Bill Gates sends you an Instagram DM asking for your social security number, or fake websites imitate other successful businesses’ websites. An SSL certificate can help protect your website from this. To obtain one, you must go through a verification process. It ensures that your website isn’t copied and misrepresented by malicious third parties since it verifies your and your company’s identity.
SEO:
In addition to security, SSLs have other benefits as well. Among these is the boost to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). SSL is one of Google’s search ranking algorithms, so owning one can help you rank higher in search results. As a result, an SSL certificate isn’t just a vital security measure but also a way to attract new customers.
Why choose Wehost4u for your SSL certificate?
In light of the many benefits you will receive from owning an SSL certificate, you now understand its importance. However, you still need to acquire one. Fortunately, Wehost4u can assist you with this. Wehost4u offers standards and managed SSL certificates to meet your website’s needs. Here are some of their variations:
- A standard SSL certificate
- A premium SSL certificate
- – Wildcard SSL certificates allow the registration of unlimited subdomains under a single certificate.
- Managed DV (Domain Validated) SSL certificates are the most affordable. These certificates require a simple, easy validation process.
- Managed UCC/SAN SSL certificates- One of these certificates will secure up to 5 separate websites
Learn how easy it is to install and use an SSL certificate if you have purchased one from wehost4u.
Reading this article helps you understand the importance and absolute necessity of SSL certificates, not only as a business but also as a consumer. You will improve your online credibility with an SSL certificate in your browser. Look for the little padlock when you enter personal information on a website.